JONESBORO, Ark. (8/7/14) – One day after officially reporting to fall camp for the 2014 season, the Arkansas State volleyball team held its first practice Thursday afternoon under the direction of third year head coach David Rehr at the HPESS facility on the campus of Arkansas State University.

During the first practice of the day, the team went through several drills before splitting into separate teams and scrimmaging against each other working on all facets of the game. Before wrapping up practice, the squad held some fierce competition team drills and worked on serving.

“It was a good start and I’m looking forward to the rest of the practices,” Rehr said. “We wanted to teach defense because we have a lot of young players on our team. It wasn’t about the offense and hitting part because they’ve got to learn the structure of what we want to do and it was accomplished today.”

This was the first organized team practice featuring the 2014 signing class and A-State’s seven returning lettermen. The Red Wolves reported Wednesday and held team meetings along with an orientation session.

A-State must replace six seniors from last season’s squad that registered a 15-20 record last season and reached the Sun Belt Conference Tournament semifinals for the second consecutive year, marking the first time since the 1999-00 seasons that Arkansas State won a game in back-to-back conference tournaments.

Markie Schaedig inherits the role as the team’s libero, replacing Megan Baska, after she was second on the team in digs last season. Mallory Warrington will be the primary setter after taking over the role late last season as a true freshman. Middle blocker Kelsey Reis will play a larger role on the team as the team’s only returner from that position, while lone senior Sarah Kemp, third on the team in kills a season ago, is expected to provide offense and leadership.

Arkansas State opens the season at the George Washington Invitational in Washington D.C., as the Red Wolves take on host George Washington Aug. 29 at 9 a.m.